Multi-responsive sodium hyaluronate/tannic acid hydrogels with ROS scavenging ability promote the healing of diabetic wounds

Oxidative stress caused by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation significantly hinders wound healing in patients with diabetes. Scavenging ROS and reducing inflammation are crucial for rapid healing. In this work, a multi-responsive sodium hyaluronate (HA)/tannic acid (TA) hydrogel was developed based on boronate ester bonds. Sodium hyaluronate with 3-aminophenyl boronic acid modification (HA-APBA) was mixed and crosslinked with TA to form HA-APBA/TA hydrogels. These hydrogels are injectable, self-healing, and biocompatible. The HA-APBA/TA hydrogels could release free TA through the collapse of the structure at low pH, high H2O2 concentration, and high glucose concentration, thus possessing good ROS scavenging ability. In full-thickness skin wounds of db/db mice, the HA-APBA/TA hydrogels promoted wound healing, collagen deposition, and significant angiogenesis. Furthermore, they have been shown to effectively reduce the levels of inflammatory factors in wounds and lower the expression of CD86, a pro-inflammatory macrophage surface marker. This resulted in a more effective transition of wound healing from the inflammatory phase to the proliferative phase. This study provides an optional strategy for alleviating oxidative stress and controlling excessive inflammation, thereby promoting diabetic wound healing.

BODIPYs α-appended with distyryl-linked aryl bisboronic acids: single-step cell staining and turn-on fluorescence binding with D-glucose

Small-molecule sensors that are selective for particular sugars are rare. The synthesis of BODIPYs appended with two boronic acid units is reported, alongside cellular staining/labelling and turn-on fluorescence binding data for carbohydrates. The structural frameworks were designed using computational methods, leaning on the chelation characteristics of bis(boronic acids) and the photophysical properties of BODIPYs. Selective binding to glucose is demonstrated via emission and absorption methods, and the challenges of using NMR data for studying carbohydrate binding are discussed. Furthermore, crystal structures, cell permeability and imaging properties of the BODIPYs appended with two boronic acid units are described. This work presents boronic-acid-appended BODIPYs as a potential framework for tunable carbohydrate sensing and chemical biology staining.

Molecular two-point recognition of fructosyl valine and fructosyl glycyl histidine in water by fluorescent Zn(II)-terpyridine complexes bearing boronic acids

Selective recognition of fructosyl amino acids in water by arylboronic acid-based receptors is a central field of modern supramolecular chemistry that impacts biological and medicinal chemistry. Fructosyl valine (FV) and fructosyl glycyl histidine (FGH) occur as N-terminal moieties of human glycated hemoglobin; therefore, the molecular design of biomimetic receptors is an attractive, but very challenging goal. Herein, we report three novel cationic Zn-terpyridine complexes bearing a fluorescent N-quinolinium nucleus covalently linked to three different isomers of strongly acidified phenylboronic acids (ortho-, 2Zn; meta-, 3Zn and para-, 4Zn) for the optical recognition of FV, FGH and comparative analytes (D-fructose, Gly, Val and His) in pure water at physiological pH. The complexes were designed to act as fluorescent receptors using a cooperative action of boric acid and a metal chelate. Complex 3Zn was found to display the most acidic -B(OH)2 group (pKa = 6.98) and exceptionally tight affinity for FV (K = 1.43 × 105 M-1) with a strong quenching analytical response in the micromolar concentration range. The addition of fructose and the other amino acids only induced moderate optical changes. On the basis of several spectroscopic tools (1H, 11B NMR, UV-Vis, and fluorescence titrations), ESI mass spectrometry, X-ray crystal structure, and DFT calculations, the interaction mode between 3Zn and FV is proposed in a 1 : 1 model through a cooperative two-point recognition involving a sp3 boronate-diol esterification with simultaneous coordination bonding of the carboxylate group of Val to the Zn atom. Fluorescence quenching is attributed to a static complexation photoinduced electron transfer mechanism as evidenced by lifetime experiments. The addition of FGH to 3Zn notably enhanced its emission intensity with micromolar affinity, but with a lower apparent binding constant than that observed for FV. FGH interacts with 3Zn through boronate-diol complexation and coordination of the imidazole ring of His. DFT-optimized structures of complexes 3Zn-FV and 3Zn-FGH show a picture of binding which shows that the Zn-complex has a suitable (B⋯Zn) distance to the two-point recognition with these analytes. Molecular recognition of fructosyl amino acids by transition-metal-based receptors has not been explored until now.

New type of tin(IV) complex based turn-on fluorescent chemosensor for fluoride ion recognition: elucidating the effect of molecular structure on sensing property

A novel type of chemosensor based on tin(IV) complexes incorporating hydroxyquinoline derivatives has been designed and investigated for selectively detecting fluoride ions. Sn(meq)2Cl2 (meq = 2-methyl-8-quinolinol) (complex 1) exhibits a significant enhancement in luminescence upon the introduction of fluoride ions. This enhancement greatly surpasses that observed with Snq2Cl2 and Sn(dmqo)2Cl2 (q = 8-hydroxyquinnoline; dmqo = 5,7-dimethyl-8-quinolinol). Furthermore, complex 1 displays excellent sensitivity and selectivity for fluoride detection in comparison to halides and other anions. As a result, complex 1 serves as an outstanding turn-on fluorescent chemosensor, effectively sensing fluoride ions. The Benesi-Hilderbrand method and Job's plot confirmed that complex 1 associates with F- in a 1 : 2 binding stoichiometry. Also, complex 1 exhibited a large binding constant (pKb = 10.4 M-2) and a low detection limit (100 nM). To gain a deeper insight into the photophysical properties and the underlying mechanism governing the formation of the tin(IV) fluoride complex via halide exchange, we successfully synthesized partially fluorinated Sn(meq)2F0.67Cl1.33 (2) and fully fluorinated Sn(meq)2F2 (3), all of which were characterized through computational studies, thereby elucidating their photophysical properties. DFT studies reveal that converting Sn(meq)2Cl2 to Sn(meq)2F2, an endergonic process, leads to greater stability due to reducing steric hindrance about the metal center. Furthermore, the fluorinated complex significantly increases dipole moment, resulting in high affinity toward the F- ion.

Fluorescent naphthalimide boronates as theranostics: structural investigations, confocal fluorescence and multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy in living cells

New design and synthetic strategies were developed to generate functional phenyl boronic acid (BA)-based fluorescent probes incorporating the 1,8-naphthalimide (NI) tag. This fluorescent core was anchored onto the BA unit through small organic linkers consisting of nitrogen groups which can arrest, and internally stabilise the phenyl-boronate units. The newly synthesised fluorophores were characterised spectroscopically by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry and evaluated for their ability to bind to a naturally occurring polysaccharide, β-d-glucan in DMSO and simultaneously as act as in vitro cell imaging reagents. The uptake of these new NI-boronic acid derivatives was studied living cancer cells (HeLa, PC-3) in the presence, and absence, of β-d-glucan. Time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) of DMSO solutions and two-photon fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) techniques allowed an insight into the probes' interaction with their environment. Their cellular uptake and distributions were imaged using laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy under single- and two-photon excitation regimes (λmax 910 nm). FLIM facilitated the estimation of the impact of the probe's cellular surroundings using the fluorophore lifetime. The extent to which this was mediated by the β-d-glucan was visualised by 2-photon FLIM in living cells. The fluorescence lifetime observed under a range of temperatures varied appreciably, indicating that changes in the environment can be sensed by these probes. In all cases, the cellular membrane penetration of these new probes was remarkable even under variable temperature conditions and localisation was widely concentrated in the cellular cytoplasm, without specific organelle trapping: we conclude that these new probes show promise for cellular imaging in living cancer cells.

A synergistic strategy of dual-crosslinking and loading intelligent nanogels for enhancing anti-coagulation, pro-endothelialization and anti-calcification properties in bioprosthetic heart valves

Currently, glutaraldehyde (GA)-crosslinked bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs) still do not guarantee good biocompatibility and long-term effective durability for clinical application due to their subacute thrombus, inflammation, calcification, tearing and limited durability. In this study, double-modified xanthan gum (oxidized/vinylated xanthan gum (O2CXG)) was acquired from xanthan gum for subsequent double crosslinking and modification platform construction. Sulfonic acid groups with anticoagulant properties were also introduced through the free radical polymerization of vinyl sulfonate (VS) and vinyl on O2CXG. Taking advantage of the drug-loading function of xanthan gum, the treated pericardium was further loaded with inflammation-triggered dual drug-loaded nanogel (heparin (Hep) and atorvastatin (Ator)). Mechanical properties of O2CXG-crosslinked porcine pericardium (O2CXG-PP) were significantly improved via the first network formed by Schiff base bonds and the second C-C bonds network. Due to the presence of sulfonic acid groups as well as the dual drug release from nanogels under the stimulation of H2O2, the hemocompatibility, anti-inflammatory, pro-endothelialization and anti-calcification properties of the crosslinked pericardium modified with nanogels loaded with Hep and Ator (O2CXG+VS+(Hep+Ator) nanogel-PP) was significantly better than that of GA-crosslinked PP (GA-PP). The collaborative strategy of double crosslinking and sequential release of anticoagulant/endothelium-promoting drugs triggered by inflammation could effectively meet the requirement of enhanced multiple performance and long-term durability of bioprosthetic heart valves and provide a valuable pattern for multi-functionalization of blood contacting materials. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Currently, glutaraldehyde-crosslinked bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs) are subject to subacute thrombus, inflammation, calcification and tearing, which would not guarantee good biocompatibility and long-term effective durability. We developed a cooperative strategy of double crosslinking and surface modification in which double-modified xanthan gum plays a cornerstone. The mechanical properties of this BHV were significantly improved via the first network formed by Schiff base bonds and the second C-C bonds network. Inflammation-triggered combination delivery of heparin and atorvastatin has been demonstrated to enhance anticoagulation, anti-inflammatory and pro-endothelialization of BHVs by utilizing local inflammatory response. The collaborative strategy could effectively meet the requirement of enhanced multiple performance and long-term durability of BHVs and provide a valuable pattern for the multi-functionalization of blood-contacting materials.

Boron Polycation Supported by Cyclic Bis(carbodiphosphorane)

A novel cyclic bis(carbodiphosphorane) ligand was prepared and investigated in coordination with group 13 elements, B, Al, and Ga. Al and Ga afforded dinuclear adduct where two metal centers were bridged by the bis(carbodiphosphorane) ligand. In contrast, the reaction with boron trichloride afforded a monomeric dicationic three-coordinate boron species composed of one boron moieties and one ligand. The structures of these products were determined by X-ray crystallography. In the dicationic boron compound, the sterically constrained cyclic structure enforced the boron center to acquire strained trigonal geometry with wide C-B-C angle of 140°. Furthermore, theoretical investigation with DFT and NBO suggested a significant contribution of tricationic two-coordinate boron resonance structure supported by two CDP ligands.

Nanopore Discrimination of Nucleotide Sugars

Nucleotide sugars, the glycosyl donors in the biosynthesis of carbohydrates, are critical ingredients in the growth and development of all living organisms. A variety of nucleotide sugars simultaneously exist in biological samples. They, however, have only minor structural differences, which make them extremely difficult to discriminate. In this work, a phenylboronic acid (PBA)-modified Mycobacterium smegmatis porin A (MspA) hetero-octamer was applied to sense nucleotide sugars. Five representative nucleotide sugars, including guanosine diphosphate mannose (GDP-Man), adenosine diphosphate glucose (ADP-Glc), uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc), uridine diphosphate glucose (UDP-Glc), and uridine diphosphate glucoronic acid (UDP-GlcA), were successfully distinguished. A custom machine learning algorithm was also employed to automatically identify events, reporting a general accuracy of 99.4%. This sensing strategy provides a rapid, direct, and accurate method for identifying different nucleotide sugars. However, single-molecule identification of nucleotide sugars has never been previously reported, to the best of our knowledge.

Electrochemical detection of glycoproteins using boronic acid-modified metal-organic frameworks as dual-functional signal reporters

The sensitive analysis of glycoproteins is of great importance for early diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. In this work, a sandwich-type electrochemical aptasensor was developed for the detection of glycoproteins using 4-formylphenylboric acid (FPBA)-modified Cu-based metal-organic frameworks (FPBA-Cu-MOFs) as dual-functional signal probes. The target captured by the aptamer-modified electrode allowed the attachment of FPBA-Cu-MOFs based on the interaction between boronic acid and glycan on glycoproteins. Large numbers of Cu2+ ions in FPBA-Cu-MOFs produced an amplified signal for the direct voltammetric detection of glycoproteins. The electrochemical aptasensor showed a detection limit as low as 6.5 pg mL-1 for prostate specific antigen detection. The method obviates the use of antibody and enzymes for molecular recognition and signal output. The dual-functional MOFs can be extended to the design of other biosensors for the determination of diol-containing biomolecules in clinical diagnosis.

Biosensors with Boronic Acid-Based Materials as the Recognition Elements and Signal Labels

It is of great importance to have sensitive and accurate detection of cis-diol-containing biologically related substances because of their important functions in the research fields of metabolomics, glycomics, and proteomics. Boronic acids can specifically and reversibly interact with 1,2- or 1,3-diols to form five or six cyclic esters. Based on this unique property, boronic acid-based materials have been used as synthetic receptors for the specific recognition and detection of cis-diol-containing species. This review critically summarizes the recent advances with boronic acid-based materials as recognition elements and signal labels for the detection of cis-diol-containing biological species, including ribonucleic acids, glycans, glycoproteins, bacteria, exosomes, and tumor cells. We also address the challenges and future perspectives for developing versatile boronic acid-based materials with various promising applications.

Organelle-targeting ratiometric fluorescent probes: design principles, detection mechanisms, bio-applications, and challenges

Biological species, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive sulfur species (RSS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), F-, Pd2+, Cu2+, Hg2+, and others, are crucial for the healthy functioning of cells in living organisms. However, their aberrant concentration can result in various serious diseases. Therefore, it is essential to monitor biological species in cellular organelles such as the cell membrane, mitochondria, lysosome, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and nucleus. Among various fluorescent probes for species detection within the organelles, ratiometric fluorescent probes have drawn special attention as a potential way to get beyond the drawbacks of intensity-based probes. This method depends on measuring the intensity change of two emission bands (caused by an analyte), which produces an efficient internal referencing that increases the detection's sensitivity. This review article discusses the literature publications (from 2015 to 2022) on organelle-targeting ratiometric fluorescent probes, the general strategies, the detecting mechanisms, the broad scope, and the challenges currently faced by fluorescent probes.

Enlightening the Path to Protein Engineering: Chemoselective Turn-On Probes for High-Throughput Screening of Enzymatic Activity

Many successful stories in enzyme engineering are based on the creation of randomized diversity in large mutant libraries, containing millions to billions of enzyme variants. Methods that enabled their evaluation with high throughput are dominated by spectroscopic techniques due to their high speed and sensitivity. A large proportion of studies relies on fluorogenic substrates that mimic the chemical properties of the target or coupled enzymatic assays with an optical read-out that assesses the desired catalytic efficiency indirectly. The most reliable hits, however, are achieved by screening for conversions of the starting material to the desired product. For this purpose, functional group assays offer a general approach to achieve a fast, optical read-out. They use the chemoselectivity, differences in electronic and steric properties of various functional groups, to reduce the number of false-positive results and the analytical noise stemming from enzymatic background activities. This review summarizes the developments and use of functional group probes for chemoselective derivatizations, with a clear focus on screening for enzymatic activity in protein engineering.

A Fluorescent Turn-On Sensor Toward Multiple Heavy Metal Ions Based on Meso-anisole Modified BODIPY Scaffold

A fluorescent turn-on sensor (BOPA) was configured by anchoring bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-amine (DPA) unit to the BODIPY scaffold. It exhibits highly sensitivity and selectivity towards Pb²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cr³⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Zn²⁺ against the competent metal ions. Job's plot analysis supports the 1:1 stoichiometry of BOPA and metal ions. And linear relationship between fluorescence intensity and concentration of Zn²⁺ (representative metal ion) was observed over the range 0 ~ 20 μM Zn²⁺. The limit detection of BOPA in recognition of Pb²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cr³⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Zn²⁺ was ranged from 15.99 to 43.57 nM. Photo induced transfer (PET) in the excited state of BOPA determines the emission "off/on". Coordination of metal ions by DPA significantly weakened the electron-donating ability of nitrogen atom and inhibits the PET, recovering emission of BODIPY. In addition, the attachment of anisole at meso-position of BODIPY finely modulated the recognition of metal ions category.

Inflammation-Responsive Nanovalves of Polymer-Conjugated Dextran on a Hole Array of Silicon Substrate for Controlled Antibiotic Release

Poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) brushes were tethered on a silicon surface possessing a 500-nm hole array via atom transfer radical polymerization after the modification of the halogen group. Dextran-biotin (DB) was sequentially immobilized on the PMAA chains to obtain a P(MAA-DB) brush surrounding the hole edges on the silicon surface. After loading antibiotics inside the holes, biphenyl-4,4′-diboronic acid (BDA) was used to cross-link the P(MAA-DB) chains through the formation of boronate esters to cap the hole and block the release of the antibiotics. The boronate esters were disassociated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) to open the holes and release the antibiotics, thus indicating a reversible association. The total amount of drug inside the chip was approximately 52.4 μg cm⁻², which could be released at a rate of approximately 1.6 μg h⁻¹ cm⁻² at a ROS concentration of 10 nM. The P(MAA-DB) brush-modified chip was biocompatible without significant toxicity toward L929 cells during the antibiotic release. The inflammation-triggered antibiotic release system based on a subcutaneous implant chip not only exhibits excellent efficacy against bacteria but also excellent biocompatibility, recyclability, and sensitivity, which can be easily extended to other drug delivery systems for numerous biomedical applications without phagocytosis- and metabolism-related issues.

A Nanopore-Based Saccharide Sensor

Saccharides play critical roles in many forms of cellular activities. Saccharide structures are however complicated and similar, setting a technical hurdle for direct identification. Nanopores, which are emerging single molecule tools sensitive to minor structural differences between analytes, can be engineered to identity saccharides. A hetero-octameric Mycobacterium smegmatis porin A nanopore containing a phenylboronic acid was prepared, and was able to clearly identify nine monosaccharide types, including D-fructose, D-galactose, D-mannose, D-glucose, L-sorbose, D-ribose, D-xylose, L-rhamnose and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine. Minor structural differences between saccharide epimers can also be distinguished. To assist automatic event classification, a machine learning algorithm was developed, with which a general accuracy score of 0.96 was achieved. This sensing strategy is generally suitable for other saccharide types and may bring new insights to nanopore saccharide sequencing.

Diboronate crosslinking: Introducing glucose specificity in glucose-responsive dynamic-covalent networks

Dynamic-covalent motifs are increasingly used for hydrogel crosslinking, leveraging equilibrium-governed reversible bonds to prepare viscoelastic materials with dynamic properties and self-healing character. The bonding between aryl boronates and diols is one dynamic-covalent chemistry of interest. The extent of network crosslinking using this motif may be subject to competition from ambient diols such as glucose; this approach has long been explored for glucose-directed release of insulin to control diabetes. However, the majority of such work has used phenylboronic acids (PBAs) that suffer from low-affinity glucose binding, limiting material responsiveness. Moreover, many PBA chemistries also bind with higher affinity to certain non-glucose analytes like fructose and lactate than they do to glucose, limiting their specificity of sensing and therapeutic deployment. Here, dynamic-covalent hydrogels are prepared that, for the first time, use a new diboronate motif with enhanced glucose binding-and importantly improved glucose specificity-leveraging the ability of rigid diboronates to simultaneously bind two sites on a single glucose molecule. Compared to long-used PBA-based approaches, diboronate hydrogels offer more glucose-responsive insulin release that is minimally impacted by non-glucose analytes. Improved responsiveness translates to more rapid blood glucose correction in a rodent diabetes model. Accordingly, this new dynamic-covalent crosslinking chemistry is useful in realizing more sensitive and specific glucose-responsive materials.

Anion Recognition by Benzoxaborole

The binding types (H-bonding or coordinate) and stability constants for complexes of 11 mono- and di-anions with benzoxaborole (1) were determined by ¹H and ¹¹B NMR titrations in DMSO or MeCN. Compared to phenylboronic acid (PBA), 1 is a stronger Lewis acid and a poorer H-bond donor with only one B-OH group, which is expected therefore to recognize anions mostly through the coordinate bonding. This is the case however only with F^-, HPO₄^2-, and PhPO₃^2- anions, which are coordinately bonded to 1, and partially with SO₄^2-, which forms only the H-bonded complex with PBA, but both H-bonded and coordinate complexes with 1. The majority of tested anions (AcO^-, PhPO₃H^-, (PhO)₂PO₂^-, Cl^-, and Br^-) form H-bonded complexes with both 1 and PBA, whereas H₂PO₄^- changes the binding mode from coordinate for PBA to H-bonded for 1. The preferable binding type for each anion is confirmed by calculations of DFT-optimized structures of the anion complexes of 1. The preferable binding type can be rationalized considering the effects of the steric hindrance, more significant for the coordinate bonding, and of increased anion basicity, which is favorable for both binding types, but enhances the strength of coordinate bonding more significantly than the strength of H-bonding.

Experimental Comparison of Bond Lifetime and Viscoelastic Relaxation in Transient Networks with Well-Controlled Structures

We demonstrate an experimental comparison of the bond lifetime, estimated using surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and the viscoelastic relaxation time of transient networks with well-controlled structures (dynamically cross-linked Tetra-PEG gel). SPR and viscoelastic measurements revealed that the temperature dependences of the two characteristic times are in agreement, while the viscoelastic response is delayed with respect to the lifetime by a factor of 2-3, dependent on the network strand length. Polymers cross-linked by temporary interactions form transient networks, which show fascinating viscoelasticity with a single relaxation mode. However, the molecular understanding of such simple viscoelasticity has remained incomplete because of the difficulty of experimentally evaluating bond lifetimes and heterogeneous structures in conventional transient networks. Our results suggest that bond dissociation and recombination both contribute to the macromechanical response. This report on direct bond-lifetime-viscoelastic-relaxation time comparison provides important information for the molecular design of transient network materials.

A microfluidic organic transistor for reversible and real-time monitoring of H2O2 at ppb/ppt levels in ultrapure water

A microfluidic organic transistor functionalized with phenylboronic acid firstly succeeded in reversible and real-time monitoring of H₂O₂ at ppb/ppt levels in ultrapure water, which would be used not only as portable chemical sensors but also as monitoring tools to clarify unknown reaction mechanisms of phenylboronic acid with H₂O₂.

A chromone-based multi-selective sensor: applications in paper strips and real sample

A chromone-based multi-selective sensor: applications in a paper strip and real sample.

The modern role of boron as a 'magic element' in biomedical science: chemistry perspective

Boron was misconstrued as a toxic element for animals, which retarded the growth of boron-containing drug discovery in the last century. Nevertheless, modern applications of boronic acid derivatives are attractive in biomedical applications after the declaration that boron is a 'probable essential element' for humans by the WHO. Additionally, the approval of five boronic acid-containing drugs by the FDA has vastly impacted the use of boron in medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, drug delivery, biomaterial exploration, pharmacological improvements, and nutrition. This review article focuses on the chemistries attributed to boronic acids at physiological pH, enticing chemists to multidisciplinary applications. Prospective uses of boronic acid in pharma and chemical biology, along with prospects and challenges, are also part of the deliberation. Understanding these fundamental chemistries and interactions of boronic acid in biological systems will enable solving future challenges in drug discovery and executing space-age applications.

Advances in applied supramolecular technologies

Supramolecular chemistry has successfully built a foundation of fundamental understanding. However, with this now achieved, we show how this area of chemistry is moving out of the laboratory towards successful commercialisation.

Anion recognition by anthracene appended ortho-aminomethylphenylboronic acid: a new PET-based sensing mechanism

Carboxylate, phosphate and sulphate anions form hydrogen bonded complexes with the B(OH)2 group of the receptor 1 producing a turn-off fluorescence response, while the malonate monoanion induces the opposite turn-on effect.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of a tripodal receptor for phosphatidylinositol phosphates

Phosphatidylinositol phosphates (PIPs) are membrane phospholipids that play crucial roles in a wide range of cellular processes. Their function is dictated by the number and positions of the phosphate groups in the inositol ring (with seven different PIPs being active in the cell). Therefore, there is significant interest in developing small-molecule receptors that can bind selectively to these species and in doing so affect their cellular function or be the basis for molecular probes. However, to date there are very few examples of such molecular receptors. Towards this aim, herein we report a novel tripodal molecule that acts as receptor for mono- and bis-phosphorylated PIPs in a cell free environment. To assess their affinity to PIPs we have developed a new cell free assay based on the ability of the receptor to prevent alkaline phosphatase from hydrolysing these substrates. The new receptor displays selectivity towards two out of the seven PIPs, namely PI(3)P and PI(3,4)P₂. To rationalise these results, a DFT computational study was performed which corroborated the experimental results and provided insight into the host-guest binding mode.

Recent advances of BINOL-based sensors for enantioselective fluorescence recognition

Enantioselective fluorescent sensors show large potential for fast, real-time, and highly sensitive measurement of the concentration and enantiomeric composition of chiral molecules. Among all of the sensors, BINOL-based sensors have been actively investigated and extensively used to carry out highly enantioselective, sensitive recognition of chiral α-hydroxycarboxylic acids, amino acids, amino acid derivatives, amino alcohols and amines. In this manuscript, the recent progress of chiral BINOL-based sensors for enantioselective fluorescence recognition of different substrates is reviewed and discussed. The structure of BINOL is tuned by introducing various groups or molecules which systematically changed its fluorescence properties and offered potential for rapid assays of chiral organic molecules. From the development of this area, we gain fresh insight into the challenges and chances of BINOL-based sensors.

Design and synthesis of malonohydrazide based colorimetric receptors for discrimination of maleate over fumarate and detection of F-, AcO- and AsO2- ions

In this study, we have designed and synthesized two new organic receptors R1 and R2 based on malonohydrazide for the recognition of biologically important anions. The receptor R1 capable of colorimetric discrimination of maleate over fumarate ion, exhibit significant color change from pale yellow to wine red due to intermolecular hydrogen bond between the R1 and maleate ion, supported by ¹HNMR titration, where the peak at δ12.0 ppm attributed to the NH proton experiences a downfield shift upon binding with maleate ion. Receptor R1, equipped with two electron-withdrawing NO₂ moieties as the chromogenic signaling unit enhance the hydrogen bonding tendency and acidity, and thus when comparing with receptor R2, R1 displayed substantial higher redshift (∆λ_max) of 148 nm, 143 nm, and 140 nm towards F^-, AcO^-, and maleate anion in the DMSO. In addition, the synthesized receptors R1 and R2 are able to detect F^-, AcO^-, and AsO₂^- ions as their sodium salts in an aqueous solution with visual color change. Receptor R1 exhibit electrochemical response towards F^- and AcO^- ions. The receptors R1 and R2 are successfully applied for quantitative detection of F^- ion in the toothpaste solution in an aqueous medium. Additionally, R1 and R2 exhibit fluorescence enhancement towards F^- and AcO^- ions in the DMSO. As well, R1 and R2 demonstrate to be potentially useful colorimetric chemosensor for sensing maleate ion using the test strip. The theoretical calculation based on TD-DFT corroborates well with the experimental results of the receptors R1 and R2 with fluoride, acetate and maleate.

A mitochondrial-targetable dual functional near-infrared fluorescent probe to monitor pH and H2O2 in living cells and mice

A lower pH level and high hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentration in mitochondria is closely associated with a variety of diseases including cancer and inflammation. Thus, determination of changes in the level of acidic pH and H₂O₂ is of great importance and could provide new insights into the key functions under both physiological and pathological conditions. Herein, we present a novel mitochondria-targetable probe NIR-pH-H₂O₂, as the first near infrared (NIR) fluorescent small molecule, to monitor changes of endogenous pH (pk_a = 6.17) and H₂O₂ with high sensitivity, good compatibility and low cytotoxicity. Futhermore, it was successfully employed to monitor pH and H₂O₂ in a mouse acute inflammation model. These results demonstrate that NIR-pH-H₂O₂ is a novel bifunctional mitochondrial-targeted NIR probe to sense acidic pH and H₂O₂in vitro and in vivo, indicating its huge potential for the diagnosis of pH and H₂O₂-related diseases.

A lower pH level and high hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentration in mitochondria is closely associated with a variety of diseases including cancer and inflammation.

The mechanisms of boronate ester formation and fluorescent turn-on in ortho-aminomethylphenylboronic acids

ortho-Aminomethylphenylboronic acids are used in receptors for carbohydrates and various other compounds containing vicinal diols. The presence of the o-aminomethyl group enhances the affinity towards diols at neutral pH, and the manner in which this group plays this role has been a topic of debate. Further, the aminomethyl group is believed to be involved in the turn-on of the emission properties of appended fluorophores upon diol binding. In this treatise, a uniform picture emerges for the role of this group: it primarily acts as an electron-withdrawing group that lowers the pKa of the neighbouring boronic acid thereby facilitating diol binding at neutral pH. The amine appears to play no role in the modulation of the fluorescence of appended fluorophores in the protic-solvent-inserted form of the boronic acid/boronate ester. Instead, fluorescence turn-on can be consistently tied to vibrational-coupled excited-state relaxation (a loose-bolt effect). Overall, this Review unifies and discusses the existing data as of 2019 whilst also highlighting why o-aminomethyl groups are so widely used, and the role they play in carbohydrate sensing using phenylboronic acids.

Design of an Amphiphilic Perylene Diimide for Optical Recognition of Anticancer Drug through a Chirality-Induced Helical Structure

Introduction of chirality into a supramolecular self-assembly system plays an indispensable role in attaining specific molecular recognition ability. Herein, a chiral anticancer drug 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'DFU) was explored for inducing the self-assembly of a cationic perylene diimide derivative containing boronic acid groups (PDI-PBA) into a highly ordered right-handed helical structure. As a result, PDI-PBA exhibited a molecular recognition ability towards 5'DFU among other cis-diols and anticancer drugs. With the help of a dynamic covalent bond and favorable hydrogen-bonding interactions, chirality transfer from chiral 5'DFU to achiral PDI-PBA breaks down the strong π-π stacking of PDI-PBA and makes it reorganize into highly ordered helical supramolecular structures. This work provides an insight into chiral anticancer drug tuning interactions of π-chromophores and the inducement of hierarchical self-assembly to achieve specific molecular recognition.

Naphthalimide-based optical turn-on sensor for monosaccharide recognition using boronic acid receptor

A highly selective and sensitive fluorescent sensor for the determination of fructose is developed. The fluorescent sensor was prepared by incorporating a new naphthalimide dye with a planar structure as a selectophore and graphene oxide (GO) nanoplatelets as a quencher for rapid optical detection of fructose. The designed probe, made with the high fusion loop-containing dye, along with the GO nanoplatelets, detected fructose over the other monosaccharides very well. The proposed sensor displays a linear response range of 7 × 10-5 to 3 × 10-2 M with a low limit of detection of 23 × 10-6 M in solution at pH 7.4. This sensor shows a good selectivity towards fructose with respect to other saccharides. The proposed sensor was then applied to the determination of fructose in human plasma with satisfactory results.

A simple benzimidazole styryl-based colorimetric chemosensor for dual sensing application

A new colorimetric styryl-benzimidazole based receptor to recognize more than one analyte trans-2-[4'-(dimethylamino)styryl]benzimidazole) (L1) has been synthesized and fully characterized by ¹³C and ¹H NMR, elemental analysis, UV-vis spectroscopy, and HRMS. Investigation of sensing ability of receptor L1 was carried out in presence of multiple anions (Br^-, CN^-, Cl^-, ClO₄^-, F^-, HSO₄^-, PF₆^-, NO₃^-, S^2-, OH^-, AcO^- and H₂PO₄^-) and cations (Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, Al³⁺, Mg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe³⁺, K⁺, Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ag⁺, Hg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Co²⁺, Pb²⁺, Na⁺, and Zn²⁺) by using UV-vis spectroscopy. Receptor L1 showed colorimetric response towards only for HSO₄^- ion. Receptor L1-HSO₄^- interaction confirmed with the help of ¹H NMR titration. Among various cations, L1 selectively sense the Cu²⁺ and Al³⁺ with the drastic colour change from yellow to green and dark yellow respectively. The stoichiometric binding ratio of L1 with HSO₄^-, Cu²⁺, and Al³⁺ found to be 1:1 by jobs method and HRMS data proved the complex formation between L1 and Cu²⁺/Al³⁺ with very low detection limit. In addition to explore practical applicability of L1, paper strips have been made and used to detect HSO₄^- and Cu²⁺ ions, respectively, up to 10 ppm level.

A new boronic acid reagent for the simultaneous determination of C27-, C28-, and C29-brassinosteroids in plant tissues by chemical labeling-assisted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are endogenous plant growth-promoting hormones affecting growth and development during the entire life cycle of plants. Naturally occurring BRs can be classified into C₂₇-, C₂₈-, or C₂₉-BRs based on the nature of the alkyl groups occupying the C-24 position in the side chain of the 5a-cholestane carbon skeleton. However, while C₂₇-BRs exhibit similar bioactivities to C₂₈- and C₂₉-BRs, the biosynthetic pathways of C₂₇-BRs in plants have not yet been clearly characterized. In addition to a lack of biochemical and enzymatic evidence regarding the biosynthetic pathways of C₂₇-BRs, even most of the intermediate compounds on their pathways have not been explored and identified due to the lower endogenous levels of C₂₇-BRs. Therefore, the development of highly sensitive analytical methods is essential for studying the biosynthetic pathways and physiological functions of C₂₇-BRs. Accordingly, this study establishes qualitative and quantitative methods for identifying and detecting C₂₇-, C₂₈-, and C₂₉-BRs using a newly synthesized boronic acid reagent denoted as 2-methyl-4-phenylaminomethylphenylboronic acid (2-methyl-4-PAMBA) in conjunction with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Labeling with 2-methyl-4-PAMBA provides derivatives with excellent stability, and the detection sensitivities of BRs, particularly for C₂₇-BRs, are dramatically improved. The limits of detection (with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3) for six BRs, including 2 C₂₇-BRs (28-norCS and 28-norBL), 3 C₂₈-BRs (CS, BL, and TY), and a single C₂₉-BR (28-homoBL), are found to be 0.10-1.68 pg/mL after labeling with 2-methyl-4-PAMBA. Finally, the proposed analytical method is successfully applied for the detection of endogenous BRs in small mass samples of Oryza sativa seedlings, Rape flowers, Arabidopsis shoots, and Arabidopsis flowers. In addition, a method for profiling potential BRs in plants is also developed using LC-MS in multiple reaction monitoring scan mode assisted by 2-methyl-4-PAMBA and 2-methyl-4-PAMBA-d₅ labeling. The developed method is able to identify 10 potential BRs in a Rape flower extract. The proposed quantitative and qualitative methods established by 2-methyl-4-PAMBA labeling are helpful for facilitating an understanding of the physiological functions and biosynthetic pathways of BRs, particularly for C₂₇-BRs. Graphical abstract.

Dopamine/2-Phenylethylamine Sensitivity of Ion-Selective Electrodes Based on Bifunctional-Symmetrical Boron Receptors

Piperazine-based compounds bearing two phenylboronic acid or two benzoxaborole groups (PBPA and PBBB) were applied as dopamine receptors in polymeric membranes (PVC/DOS) of ion-selective electrodes. The potentiometric sensitivity and selectivity of the sensors towards dopamine were evaluated and compared with the results obtained for 2-phenylethylamine. Since the developed electrodes displayed strong interference from 2-phenylethylamine, single-molecule geometry optimizations were performed using the density functional theory (DFT) method in order to investigate the origin of dopamine/2-phenylethylamine selectivity. The results indicated that phenylboronic acid and benzoxaborole receptors bind dopamine mainly through the dative B⁻N bond (like 2-phenylethylamine) and the potentiometric selectivity is mainly governed by the higher lipophilicity of 2-phenylethylamine.

Label-free imaging of neurotransmitters in live brain tissue by multi-photon ultraviolet microscopy

Visualizing small biomolecules in living cells remains a difficult challenge. Neurotransmitters provide one of the most frustrating examples of this difficulty, as our understanding of signaling in the brain critically depends on our ability to follow the neurotransmitter traffic. Last two decades have seen considerable progress in probing some of the neurotransmitters, e.g. by using false neurotransmitter mimics, chemical labeling techniques, or direct fluorescence imaging. Direct imaging harnesses the weak UV fluorescence of monoamines, which are some of the most important neurotransmitters controlling mood, memory, appetite, and learning. Here we describe the progress in imaging of these molecules using the least toxic direct excitation route found so far, namely multi-photon (MP) imaging. MP imaging of serotonin, and more recently that of dopamine, has allowed researchers to determine the location of the vesicles, follow their intracellular dynamics, probe their content, and monitor their release. Recent developments have even allowed ratiometric quantitation of the vesicular content. This review shows that MP ultraviolet (MP-UV) microscopy is an effective but underutilized method for imaging monoamine neurotransmitters in neurones and brain tissue.

Inflammation-Responsive Drug-Conjugated Dextran Nanoparticles Enhance Anti-Inflammatory Drug Efficacy

Stimuli-responsive nanoparticles (NPs) are especially interesting to enhance the drug delivery specificity for biomedical applications. With the aim to achieve a highly stable and inflammation-specific drug release, we designed a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive dextran-drug conjugate (Nap-Dex). By blending Nap-Dex with the acid-sensitive acetalated dextran polymer, we achieved a dual-responsive NP with high specificity toward the inflammatory environment. The inflammatory environment not only has elevated ROS levels but also has a lower pH than healthy tissues, making pH and ROS highly suitable triggers to target inflammatory diseases. The anti-inflammatory cyclooxygenase inhibitor naproxen was modified with an ROS-responsive phenylboronic acid (PBA) and conjugated onto dextran. The dextran units were functionalized with up to 87% modified naproxen. This resulted in a complete drug release from the polymer within 20 min at 10 mM H2O2. The dual-responsive NPs reduced the levels of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 120 times more efficiently and TNFα 6 times more efficiently than free naproxen from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. These additional anti-inflammatory effects were found to be mainly attributed to ROS-scavenging effects. In addition, the model cargo fluorescein diacetate was released in an LPS-induced inflammatory response in vitro. We believe that drug conjugation using PBA can be applied to various drugs and dextran-based materials for enhanced drug efficacy, where this work demonstrates the significance of functionalized carbohydrates polymer-drug conjugates.